Sigma Mr. Bunny Travel Kit Review!

Sigma Mr. Bunny Black Travel Kit

The Sigma Mr. Bunny Brush Sets are Sigma's synthetic, or vegan version of their Make Me Up Brush (which I own and love) Collection.

If you're familiar with Sigma Brushes, this set uses the same "Sigmax HD Fibers" as the popular F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki. The bristles are super soft and fluffy, and although they are synthetic, the bristles higher quality than synthetic brushes you may find at the drugstore (Ecotools, etc).

This set includes:

Pencil E30 - Precise application of color on the crease, outer corner, upper and lower lash line.
Tapered Blending E40 - Rounded and tapered top. Specially designed to apply and blend color on the crease.
Eye Shading E55 - Soft and dense with a rounded finish. Can be used to apply pressed or loose eye shadows and pigments.
Small Angle E65 - Essential for the application of gel or cream eye liner on the upper and lower lash line.
Large Powder F30 - Very dense with a rounded top. Ideal to apply powder products on face and body.
Large Angled Contour F40 - The angled shape makes this brush ideal to apply blush or contour shades.
Foundation F60 - Can be used to apply liquid or cream foundation. Recommended to apply moisturizers and conceal large areas.

All of the brushes have the same name as the regular Sigma brushes, so it might be a little confusing, but you can't actually order these brushes separately, which may be the reason.

Sigma Mr. Bunny Black Travel Kit

Sigma Mr. Bunny Black Travel Kit

I've been using these brushes all week, and I'm excited to share my thoughts with you!

Firstly in most brush sets, I don't care what the brand is, there's always a dud in the brush set - meaning there's usually a brush in the set that doesn't perform as well as the others, the quality isn't as good or it's just a brush you wouldn't have much use for. I'm really pleased with this set as every single brush is useful and they are all of very good quality.

I've had lots of experience with Sigma Brushes and I'm really happy with the quality of the handles. With many lower-end brushes, the ferrules (metal part) will come loose, or come apart completely. I haven't experienced it with any of my Sigma brushes, and you can tell from holding these brushes that they will last a very long time.

My favorite brush of the set is the F30 Large Powder Brush. So far I've used it for setting powder and for liquid foundation, and I really like this brush for applying foundation. Although it's not very dense, it does a really good job blending in the foundation for a really soft, natural finish. 

I don't really like using synthetic bristle brushes for powder blushes and bronzers - my personal preference is natural bristles, as they typically apply the product lighter and disperse the product more evenly. I've been using the F30 Large Angled Brush for powder bronzer and blush, and it actually performs very well, applying the product evenly. 

I've been using the F60 Foundation Brush for applying liquid concealer and the bristles are very soft and remain soft even after the bristles are covered in product. I've also been using the E40 Tapered Blending Brush for concealer and I absolutely love it. I use to really love using my MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush for concealer, but after having the brush shed each time I used it, I stopped using it for liquid products and now only use it for powder. I'm so happy to have a good quality synthetic brush to use for concealer. The tapered tip works wonderfully for lightly buffing the product in and distributing product evenly on the skin.

As far as the other three brushes, I've been using the E55 Eye Shading brush to apply my eyeshadow base to my lids, or to pack color on the lids (I find synthetic brushes work best for heavy color application). It's also great for applying a wash of color to my lids or for applying my MAC Paint Pots.

The E30 Brush is a bit small and dense for a crease brush (but still works) and I actually really like using it to smudge eyeshadow across my lashline for a "smokey" look. 

The E65 Small Angle Brush is your typical angle brush, and works great for filling in the brows and applying eyeliner.

Here's a comparison of the regular F30 and F40 Brush to see the difference in the size of the brush head and the length of the handles. Because the Mr. Bunny Set is a travel brush kit, the handles are shorter and the brush heads are a bit smaller.

Here's a comparison to the regular Sigma Brush Cup. As you can see, it's about half the size.

The set retails for $59 for seven brushes and a brush cup. If you divide it by the number of brushes (minus the cup), it's about $8.43 a brush. Of course there are other options out there for inexpensive brushes (Coastal Scents, Ecotools, ELF, Forever 21, etc.) but there will definitely be a difference in the quality of the bristles. If you're looking for a basic synthetic brush set, I'd say this is a great set to look into.

Price: $59, Sigma.

Also, I placed an order for the Sigma Tapered Highlighter and Tapered Face Brush, so I should have reviews for those up soon. I used the code 'APRIL2012' for 10% off!

Maybelline SuperStay 14-Hr Lipstick in Please Stay Plum.

Maybelline SuperStay 14-Hr Lipsticks launched at the start of the new year, and frankly, we haven't heard too much buzz about them.

Maybelline already has a Stain Gloss and Lip Color (the standard double-sided sponge applicator lip color with a clear conditioning balm on the opposite end), but they added a lipstick to the line, promising 14 hours of non-drying, comfortable wear.

Available in 20 shades: Perpetual Peony, Ultimate Blush, Fuschia Forever, Eternal Rose, Beige For Good, Never Ending Nude, Ceaseless Caramel, Consistently Truffle, Lasting Chestnut, Pout on Pink, Ravishing Rouge, Eduring Ruby, Timeless Crimson, Continuous Cranberry, Keep Me Coral, Infinite Iris, Till Mauve Do Us Part, Please Stay Plum, Endless Raisin, Wine and Forever.

I have Please Stay Plum, a deep, creamy wine.

I think the 14-hour claim is really alluring, as we all want our lipstick to last all day, but it also makes some of us weary because usually along with "long-lasting" lipstick formulas, you're usually left with lips that are shriveled, crying for moisture.


Surprisingly it's not the case for these lipsticks. They apply smooth and even without dragging or tugging at the lips.

Please Stay Plum in particular applies opaque with one coat, and deepens with additional coats.

It's a little difficult to describe the texture. It dries at about 80% on the lips, and has very faint tacky feel when rubbing the lips together. Although the lipstick is almost dry on the lips, the actual formula doesn't feel drying.

A quick wipe of clear lipgloss on top takes away that tacky feeling and makes this lipstick feel so much more moisturizing.

These lipsticks have a sweet, fruity scent, which I can only smell upon application. It doesn't bother me, but I know that it may bother those who are sensitive to scented lip products.

A common misconception about this lipstick is that because it's claimed to last for 14-hours, you'd expect it to be transfer-resistant. There are no claims that this lipstick won't transfer. In no way does it transfer as much as a standard lipstick, but when drinking, it will transfer on the cup. The color holds up really well after drinking my usual Venti Coffee at Starbucks (which normally it would've completely worn off) and eating a meal.

Does it last for 14-hours? No. The darker shades will have the best lasting power because they leave a bit of a stain behind - the shade I have has good lasting power (after 4 hours, I could use a touch-up), but I'm sure it will differ with the lighter, nude and pink shades.

Overall, I can't say I'm impressed with this lipstick, but the fact that it lasts longer than my standard lipstick and isn't drying on my lips is pretty impressive. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the color selection from the line, but I think I might end up trying one other shade - Perpetual Peony (a soft pink).

Price: Around $7 at your local drugstore, but the price may vary on location.

Reviewing an old favorite: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

I've talked and recommended this foundation on many occasions, but I don't actually have a post dedicated to it. It's been requested on a few occasions, and since I've been wearing it almost every day lately, it's reminded me of how much I love this foundation and figured it'd be the perfect time for a review on it!

My love for this foundation dated back six years ago when I was in the market for a full coverage foundation. I was recommended Estee Lauder Double Wear and haven't looked back!

This miracle in a bottle claims to provide flawless, lasting coverage that will withstand heat, humidity and sweat while feeling lightweight on the skin and looking completely natural throughout the day.

It's also smudge-proof, oil-free, Non-acnegenic and fragrance free.

There are 21 shades in total, and the shades are broken up into three categories, making it easier to find the right shade for your undertone. *As a side note, neutral in the Estee Lauder Double Wear line refers to peach.

W = Warm (1W1 Bone, 1W2 Linen, 2W1 Sand, 3W1 Tawny, 4W1 Shell Beige, 5W1 Bronze, 6W2 Spice)
N = Neutral (1N1 Ecru, 2N1 Desert Beige, 2N2 Fresco, 3N1 Ivory Beige, 4N1 Wheat, 5N1 Soft Tan, 6N1 Truffle)
C = Cool (1C1 Shell, 2C1 Dusk, 3C1 Pebble, 4C1 Suede, 5C1 Rich Chestnut, 6C1 Rich Cocoa)

*Warm = red, yellow undertones, Cool = pink/rosy undertones. 

When I have no tan (MAC NC15-20 coloring) I use shade 1W1 Bone. When I'm tan (MAC NC35-NC40 coloring) I use 3W1 Tawny. Tawny is slightly light when I'm NC40, but the next shade up (Shell Beige) lacks enough yellow.

READ MORE!

Here's a comparison photo of 1W1 Bone with MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15 and 3W1 Tawny with MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC40.

Can you tell the difference? They're incredibly similar. The only noteable differences is that 1W1 Bone is slightly darker than MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15 and Studio Fix Fluid in NC40 is slightly darker and more yellow than 3W1 Tawny.

It's pretty crucial to find the right color match with this foundation because of the opaque coverage. Sheer foundations are usually more forgiving, but with full coverage foundations, to avoid looking like you're wearing a "mask" of makeup, you really need to take the time at your local counter in finding the closest shade to match your skintone.

If I'm looking for a very full coverage, I'll opt for a standard paddle foundation brush. But on most days, I like using a duo-fiber/stippling brush for a less opaque, yet still flawless look. For a lighter coverage, a dampened beauty blender sponge is said to work very well.

This foundation dries quickly once applied to the face, but it's not difficult to work with when dry. I find that it layers well (although I'm always good with one layer) without looking blotchy. Once the foundation has set, your skin should feel dry to the touch. If you find this difficult to work with, applying a moisturizing base prior to the foundation can help.

It provides medium to full coverage. With one layer it covers just about everything, including light sun spots and blemishes.

In the below (left) photo, I wanted to display how opaque the foundation is with a couple swipes of a standard foundation brush.

Estee Lauder Double Wear has a semi-matte, soft-focus finish that doesn't look dull. I rarely ever have to set with a powder and my skin barely gets any shine throughout the day (my skin type is very normal).

It holds up incredibly well throughout the day. From morning till the time I go to sleep, my foundation is still in place.

Now that I've said everything good to say about Double Wear, here are the draw backs.

Because this foundation initially blurs out all imperfections, it can make your skin look very one-dimensional. Bronzer and blush are necessary to add shadows/dimension back into your face. (This isn't necessarily a drawback, but it's something to keep in mind.)

I have tried and owned several foundations. Some photograph well, and some don't (usually due to the Titanium Oxide in the ingredient list). This one is probably one of the worst. For photos outdoors in natural light, it isn't too bad. But for indoor photos and flash photography, it really washes me out and sometimes gives my skin a grey-ish cast. If I look back at old photos and my face is white and my neck is tan, I know that I wearing Double Wear. This is an absolute fabulous foundation, but avoid it if you're going to be photographed.

Lastly, because this foundation is water resistant, some may find that it's difficult to remove. A cleanser containing oil works best (or you can add a drop of any oil to your cleanser - olive oil, jojoba oil, baby oil, etc.) My favorite makeup remover wipes; Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleaning Towelettes work perfectly.

Overall, the pros outweigh the cons, which is why I've continued re-purchasing this foundation again and again throughout the past few years.

Price: $35, at your local department store that carries Estee Lauder.

PROS: This foundation lives up to all of it's claims (in my experience at least). It provides medium to full coverage that looks natural when it's not over-applied, it endures heat and sweat like a champion and doesn't transfer as easy as most of my other foundations. It also stays in tact till the moment I go to sleep, so it deserves an A+ for lasting power.
CONS: The only real cons with this foundation is that it doesn't photograph well (gives a white cast in flash photography). Also, even though there is a good range of shades, the color selection still isn't all that great. I found that the cool shades are very pink and the neutral shades leaned pretty orange. Also, if you apply too much of this foundation, it can look unnatural (less is more!).
PACKAGING: I'm not a fan of the packaging, but I'm not a fan of any of Estee Lauder's packaging, for the records. It's pretty simple and standard, which is fine, but because of the pour-bottle design, the top and cap can get very messy. **The MAC Foundation Pump fits on this bottle, so if you use this foundation often and you prefer a pump, it may be something you'd like to look into. You can purchase it separately from MAC for $7.
OVERALL: If you can find your color match in this foundation, I won't doubt that you're going to love this foundation. I think some are quick to label this foundation as too heavy or too fake, but with any pigmented foundation, you have to take in consideration that you're not going to need as much product as with a lighter coverage foundation. Start out with less than you think you're going to need, and build if necessary. Starting out with too much at once will only set yourself up for disaster. This foundation has high rating for all skin types, and it's especially beneficial for combination oily skin types because of it's close to matte finish and long-wearing abilities. 

Step by Step Eyeshadow Tutorial with Dramatic Black Liner and a Darkened Crease.

Two tutorials in one week, what!? Yeah I know, pretty unusual, but I thought it'd be a nice change from reviews all of the time. This particular look focuses mainly on the dramatic (thick) winged liner and the contrast against the precisely darkened crease and the contrasting light shade on the lids. This is more of a going out/nighttime look, as it's quite dramatic for the daytime. You can take it up a notch by adding black liner to the waterline or adding a full strip of false lashes.

Products Used:

MAC Groundwork Paint Pot (light brown cream eyeshadow, used as a base in step 1)

MAC Malt Eyeshadow (used in step 2 and step 8)
MAC Corduroy Eyeshadow (used in step 4 and step7)
MAC Black Tied Eyeshadow (used in step 5 and step 6)
Dior Rosy Tan (used the middle shade for a highlight in step 3)
Anastasia Shimmer Highlight Pencil (used in step 11)
Illamasqua Mislead Cake Eyeliner (used in step 9 and step 10)
Maybelline The Falsie's Mascara (used in step 12)
Andrea Medium Flare Individual Lashes (used in step 13)

Brushes Used:
Coastal Scents Concealer Brush
MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush
Sigma Pencil Brush
Sigma Small Angle Brush
Coastal Scents Tapered Blending Brush
Coastal Scents Small Eyeliner Brush

READ MORE!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

A few of my old never-fail products - and yep, they're all MAC.

I'm sure most of us makeup fanatics have a few products in our makeup stash that you can consider your "never fail" products. They are the often neglected, but never forgotten products that you know you can use, and they'll never let you down. You may not use them every day, but once you run out, you know you have to purchase another to replace it. Maybe it's a certain eyeliner or a particular blush. Maybe it's one item in each category. I'm sure I have a few more than I'm mentioning - but I wanted to dedicate a post to these few that stood out to me and always have a warm place in my heart: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, MAC Studio Finish Concealer and MAC Select Cover-Up.

It's a complete coincidence that they're all MAC products - and it's even a bigger coincidence that they are some of the first MAC products I ever tried.

I remember my first trip to MAC like it was yesterday. I was a senior in highschool and it was my first time ever buying non-drugstore makeup. I purchased (George purchased it, actually. We just started dating at the time!) Studio Fix Fluid in NC40, Blot Powder in Med-Dark, Select Cover-up in Peach, Paint in Bare Canvas and Eyeshadows in Gorgeous Gold, Moons Reflection and Aquadisiac. Aside from the shadows, I continue using all of those products till this day.

READ MORE!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid 

Studio Fix Fluid is basically everything I look for in a foundation. It has a very nice, creamy consistency that blends easily, medium to heavy-medium coverage, has a satiny finish and is long-lasting. The colors are spot on for my golden-yellow complexion and no matter what kind of skin day I'm having, I can always rely on Studio Fix Fluid to make my skin look airbrushed. I always make sure to have a bottle on hand, and it's probably my most re-purchased makeup item ever. *Side note: I always make sure to set with a powder when wearing this foundation as my skin can get shiny after a few hours.

Blemishes - They will be camouflages for the most part, but if you have dark or very red blemishes, you may find that using an additional concealer may be necessary for full coverage. Minor blemishes should be covered.

Application - My favorite application method for this foundation is using a duo-fiber brush for the most natural finish. I also like using a flat top brush, but in order for it not to look too heavy on my skin, I'll usually moisturize skin beforehand or spirtz my face with water. With this particular foundation I don't like using my fingers because it can look too heavy/porcelain. I think the way this foundation looks really depends on your application method. 

Often complaints are - It causes breakouts, it has a chemical smell, it's too heavy/cakey, the shades are either too yellow or too cool - there isn't a good in-between. 

In the past, I did get a pimple here and there when wearing Studio Fix Fluid on a daily basis, but with a proper skincare (cleansing and exfoliating) routine, I don't have anymore breakouts when wearing it. But it might also be because I usually don't wear it for more than a few days in a row (I have way too many foundations to stay loyal to one). Everyone has a different sensitivity to certain products, so this may or may not irritate your skin. I highly recommend washing your face well at night to avoid break-outs. 

Studio Finish Concealer

Studio Finish Concealer is one of my - if not my favorite cream concealer. I often search for new concealers because I get bored easily with using the same products all of the time, but this concealer never fails me. It's not too dry, and it's not too creamy. It's a good in-between so it spreads easy, yet it doesn't move around. Often cream concealers can be too emollient, causing the concealer to crease, cake up, transfer and look shiny throughout the day, and some drier consistencies can look dry and flaky throughout the day. I think MAC has the formula down pact on this one. It works well for the under-eyes and it also works well at covering blemishes. I usually have it in a few different shades - one that matches my face (NC) and one with peachy-pink tones that will counteract my dark under-eyes (NW). I'm never without this stuff in my stash.

Select Cover-Up

Not too many people talk about MAC Select Cover-up, but it's definitely one of my favorite liquid concealers. It's creamy (not watery) - not too thick and definitely not heavy. It provides a good light-medium coverage, so in conjunction with a medium coverage foundation, this concealer is really all you need. It's not going to provide opaque coverage for those with severe darkness, but for those with minor to average dark under-eyes, this should do the trick. It has more coverage than Moisturecover (that stuff just does nothing for me) and just does a fabulous overall job of brightening my under-eyes. 

Here's a few photos to show my under-eyes without concealer, and with Select Cover-up and Studio Finish. You can see that with the Select Cover-up, almost everything is concealed, but a little darkness still peaks through. In the photo wearing Studio Finish, little to no darkness is peaking though. 

What are some products you always keep in your stash? Let me know in the comments!

Lust List Vol. 001

What's a lust list? It's basically a list (or collage) of material items you're "lusting" after or wish you had! Some people like to create these little collages as a way to organize items they admire, or to use it as kind of like a shopping list for items they'd like to purchase at some point. I think they are fun to read, and fun to create!

Well, I've got my eyes on so many things right now I knew I had to put a list together.

So, here goes my jumbled list of things that have running through my mind lately.

Zara Studded Evening Bag Box - I'm phasing out of my spike obsession, but I love edgy pieces and I think this clutch is adorable. I know I probably wouldn't get much use out of it though, so I may opt for the matching studded ankle strap sandals - something I could wear more often.

Zara Die-cast Pleated Shopper - I don't know why but I've been thinking about this bag for weeks. I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I know it's way too big to be practical and the handles are too small to wear it comfortably, but something keeps telling me that I need it in my life. 

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer - Apparently this cream foundation is pigmented enough to work as a concealer, while somehow looking completely natural. Reviews state that you only need a tiny amount for the whole face and a little jar will last for ages. I'm seconds away from placing an order. What doesn't sound good about this stuff!?

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Tumulte - I'm a sucker for Chanel blushes as well as anything pink, so naturally this newly released Joues Contraste ended up on my list. I have yet to see it in person, but I can tell from various blog posts that it's gorgeous!

Giorgio Armani Master Corrector - I think this product has been on my invisible lust list for the past couple of years but neglected ever purchasing it. Well, still neglecting it, but I'm trying to remind myself that I have to try it one of these day. I haven't read any reviews that weren't positive about this magic little tube for the under-eyes.

Guerlain Terracotta Blush in Sunny Pink - I freaked out when I first saw swatches for this Guerlain Summer Collection blush. Get a look at this swatch and tell me it won't look amazing on the cheeks. The only thing that's kept me from purchasing it, is that it may be reminiscent of Nars Orgasm - I don't need another one in my collection. Any insight for those that own it?

(Image Source: naturalchicmakeup)

Guerlain By Emilio Pucci Météorites Perles D’azur Illuminating Powder - I'm a huge fan of Guerlain Meteorites. They are such a luxurious product, and are fun to apply! I use them as a setting powder, and they erase any oily shine from my face, and leave a beautiful glow behind. My face is always glowing when I use these pearls. Do I really need another one? Probably not, but this one is so pretty that I think I may splurge.

Sigma Tapered Highlighting Brush - I've had it in my head that I need a domed brush in my collection. I'm not really sure if I do, but Sigma probably has the most affordable one, so I'll probably end up ordering it in the near future. Anyone have this brush? Do you like it?

Diorskin Nude Tan Nude Glow Sun Powder - Ahh, last but not least, the Dior bronzers from the Dior Summer 2012 Collection. I have yet to see reviews for any, but they look super pretty with the sleek silver packaging, and they come with a mini kabuki. How cute!

What's on your list?

P.S. What do you think of the newly designed Sephora site? I'm not too crazy about it. I liked the previous design better. It was easier for me to navigate

How do you like the new Sephora site?

I love it!

I'm indifferent.

I liked the old site better.

Hope you all have a wonderful night! Tomorrow is Friday - yay!

Lust List Vol. 001

What's a lust list? It's basically a list (or collage) of material items you're "lusting" after or wish you had! Some people like to create these little collages as a way to organize items they admire, or to use it as kind of like a shopping list for items they'd like to purchase at some point. I think they are fun to read, and fun to create!

Well, I've got my eyes on so many things right now I knew I had to put a list together.

So, here goes my jumbled list of things that have running through my mind lately.

Zara Studded Evening Bag Box - I'm phasing out of my spike obsession, but I love edgy pieces and I think this clutch is adorable. I know I probably wouldn't get much use out of it though, so I may opt for the matching studded ankle strap sandals - something I could wear more often.

Zara Die-cast Pleated Shopper - I don't know why but I've been thinking about this bag for weeks. I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I know it's way too big to be practical and the handles are too small to wear it comfortably, but something keeps telling me that I need it in my life. 

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer - Apparently this cream foundation is pigmented enough to work as a concealer, while somehow looking completely natural. Reviews state that you only need a tiny amount for the whole face and a little jar will last for ages. I'm seconds away from placing an order. What doesn't sound good about this stuff!?

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Tumulte - I'm a sucker for Chanel blushes as well as anything pink, so naturally this newly released Joues Contraste ended up on my list. I have yet to see it in person, but I can tell from various blog posts that it's gorgeous!

Giorgio Armani Master Corrector - I think this product has been on my invisible lust list for the past couple of years but neglected ever purchasing it. Well, still neglecting it, but I'm trying to remind myself that I have to try it one of these day. I haven't read any reviews that weren't positive about this magic little tube for the under-eyes.

Guerlain Terracotta Blush in Sunny Pink - I freaked out when I first saw swatches for this Guerlain Summer Collection blush. Get a look at this swatch and tell me it won't look amazing on the cheeks. The only thing that's kept me from purchasing it, is that it may be reminiscent of Nars Orgasm - I don't need another one in my collection. Any insight for those that own it?

(Image Source: naturalchicmakeup)

Guerlain By Emilio Pucci M�t�orites Perles D�azur Illuminating Powder - I'm a huge fan of Guerlain Meteorites. They are such a luxurious product, and are fun to apply! I use them as a setting powder, and they erase any oily shine from my face, and leave a beautiful glow behind. My face is always glowing when I use these pearls. Do I really need another one? Probably not, but this one is so pretty that I think I may splurge.

Sigma Tapered Highlighting Brush - I've had it in my head that I need a domed brush in my collection. I'm not really sure if I do, but Sigma probably has the most affordable one, so I'll probably end up ordering it in the near future. Anyone have this brush? Do you like it?

Diorskin Nude Tan Nude Glow Sun Powder - Ahh, last but not least, the Dior bronzers from the Dior Summer 2012 Collection. I have yet to see reviews for any, but they look super pretty with the sleek silver packaging, and they come with a mini kabuki. How cute!

What's on your list?

P.S. What do you think of the newly designed Sephora site? I'm not too crazy about it. I liked the previous design better. It was easier for me to navigate

How do you like the new Sephora site?

I love it!

I'm indifferent.

I liked the old site better.

Hope you all have a wonderful night! Tomorrow is Friday - yay!

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick Review!

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick

What do you guys think of Sonia Kashuk makeup? To be honest, I've never really tried any of their color cosmetics. When I shop at the drugstore for makeup, I'm usually looking for a really good sale, one where I can typically attach a manufacturer coupon with, to knock off a couple of extra dollars. Then, if it's something that didn't really work out for me, it wasn't a huge blow to my wallet.

Needless to say, Sonia Kashuk cosmetics are a little expensive and they rarely ever go on sale (maybe 10% off once in a while?) So, I figure for a few more dollars I can invest in some MAC. 

Well, Sonia Kashuk's Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette has caused quite the stir in the beauty blogging world. It's a little palette containing two concealers, a neutralizer and setting powder. The concealers look a little dark for my current "light" skintone, so I usually pass it up on my grocery trips to Target. But recently, I got a hold of Sonia's stick concealer in a makeup swap and it's a great match. 

"Buildable medium to high coverage concealer that perfectly hides skin imperfections with an absolute natural, non-powdery finish." - http://soniakashuk.com

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick is available in three shades: Daylight, Dawn and Dusk. I have the shade Dawn, which is a lovely light, golden beige. It matches my NC15-20 skintone very well.

(From left to right: Daylight, Dawn and Dusk.)

READ MORE! (before & after photos included)

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick in the shade Dusk

The consistency is fairly dry, (which is fine) so it won't settle in the fine lines and crease throughout the day, and it won't move around if you happen to apply foundation over it, or apply powder under the eyes. 

I have used stick concealers that disappear once I apply my foundation, and I've had stick concealers that move around once I powder my undereyes, and thankfully, this concealer doesn't move around.

It has a good medium coverage (not full - I don't like to toss the word "full" around unless it's really opaque). My darkness is mostly gone, but I can still see a little bit peeking through. This goes for blemishes as well.

Dare I show you the before photo!? Haha, who cares, we're all human here. As you can see, I have lots of redness and a little purple. It's much less noticeable when I'm tan, but when I'm fair, all of the imperfections show. On the days where I'm makeup-free, I must wear concealer. The few occasions where I skip it, I'm automatically bombarded with "what happened to you?" and, "have you been crying?"

You can see from the middle photo, I'm not afraid to pile on the concealer, as long is it's not a very emollient formula (it can feel thick and cakey). I always apply a good helping of moisturizer to my face and under-eyes so my stick concealer glides on and blends with ease.

I know some people may be against it, but I apply the stick straight from the tube to my under-eyes. Of course, I apply as little pressure as possible to avoid any irritation and I usually blend it out with a synthetic tapered brush or concealer brush. When I'm in a hurry, I blend it with my fingers.

For those with dry under-eyes, this may not be the best choice for you, as I'm positive it will accentuate dryness. I notice that as the day wears on, upon very close inspection my concealer appears a little dry. but after buffing in a little setting powder, it looks great again.

I still prefer my MAC Studio Finish Concealer, but this this concealer isn't too bad for when I'm in a hurry and need a quick swipe of concealer.

PROS: Adequate medium coverage, doesn't move around, doesn't feel heavy under my eyes, doesn't settle in my fine lines, dry-consistency is beneficial for combination oily skin types.
CONS: Tiny color selection (3 shades, which are fairly light), doesn't fully cover red blemishes and will not fully cover severe darkness, dry consistency may not be beneficial for dry skin types and mature skin.
PACKAGING: I have no problems with the packaging. It's pretty standard packaging for a concealer stick.
OVERALL: I really like this concealer but I wish it was the teeniest bit more creamy. It works fine for my normal skin type, but would work best for combination oily skin types. It provides enough coverage to keep me content for every day, but I'll need something heavier for when I want a more opaque look.

Price: $7.99, Target.

Camera Update.

Good Afternoon, Beauties!

Some of you may know I was in a camera dilemma at the beginning of the month. My Canon Powershot SD3500 IS broke spontaneously, and with products piling up, I had to buy a replacement camera fast. I ended up getting the Nikon Coolpix P500, which I was really excited about and then quickly had my doubts about it after testing it out for a few days. When I photographed makeup, the colors weren't 100% accurate. I know many cameras won't be exactly accurate, but considering the purpose of this camera is to photograph makeup, I don't want to post photos that are misleading. I have to really give props to my old Canon for being very true-to-life in photos. I planned to return the Nikon, but with a busy schedule, I had no other choice but to use it for the mean-time (I have 90 days to return it if I'm not satisfied).

I've been using the Nikon for all of my recent posts, starting from the 9th of April. After messing around with the settings for several days, I figured out the setting that works best and is the most accurate. I can get pretty good photos in the daylight, but at night, it becomes difficult to get accurate coloring. I didn't have that problem with my previous camera and a few daylight bulbs - for whatever reason, the same set-up doesn't work as well with my Nikon.

But, after using it for a couple of weeks, I've grown to really like it. I can't really say yet if I'd recommend it for photographing makeup, but it really is a fabulous camera otherwise and takes very good photos for a point-and-shoot. It's probably the next best thing before purchasing a dslr.

I don't think at this point I'll be returning it unless I happen to come across something else that is much better at a similar price (I paid $299.99 on clearance at Target). I will let you know if my opinion has changed at all. And of course, if you have any questions about the camera, you can leave a comment or send me an e-mail.

Lastly, my blog is featured on the front page of Hellocotton today as "top in beauty"! If you haven't heard of Hellocotton, I urge you to check it out. It's an awesome blog directory with blogs in every category in a very easy to navigate format. Join or Connect with Facebook and Like, Comment and Share your newly discovered favorite blogs!

http://www.hellocotton.com

Step by Step Golden Bronze Eyeshadow Tutorial.

I haven't done a tutorial in a while, so I thought I'd share with you one of my go-to looks when going out. It may seem like a lot of steps, but it's actually very simple, and it takes me all about five minutes to do. You can step it up a notch for night-time wear by adding false lashes and/or liner on the waterline, or you can tone it down for day-time wear by subtracting the outer-v color and liner.

Products Used:
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer (used in step 1)
MAC Brule Eyeshadow (used in step 5)
MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow (used in step 2 and 4)
MAC Soba Eyeshadow (used in step 3)
MAC Tempting Eyeshadow (used in step 6)
MAC Brun Eyeshadow (used in step 7 and 8)
Loreal Endless Pearl Infallible Eyeshadow (used in step 10)

MAC Dipdown Fluidline Eyeliner (used in step 9)
Clarins Extra Definition Mascara (used in step 11)

Brushes Used:
Coastal Scents Small Eyeliner Brush
Sigma Small Angle Brush
Sigma Pencil Brush
Sigma Large Shader Brush
Coastal Scents Tapered Blending Brush

CONTINUE READING!

Hope you found this tutorial easy to follow!

Let me know if you'd like to see more of these kind of posts in the future.